Section 31.330 Faculty Chair LUCIAN TURCESCU, PhD University of St. Michael s College (in the University of Toronto); Professor Associate Professors PAUL ALLEN, PhD Saint Paul University, Ottawa MARIE FRANCE DION, PhD Université de Montréal ANDRÉ GAGNÉ, PhD Université de Montréal/Université Catholique de Louvain CHRISTINE JAMIESON, PhD Saint Paul University, Ottawa JEAN MICHEL ROESSLI, PhD Université de Fribourg/École Pratique des Hautes Études, Sorbonne For the complete list of faculty members, please consult the Department website. Location Sir George Williams Campus Annex D 514 848 2424, ext. 2475 Department Objectives Theology builds a bridge between religious experience and human society. To expand understanding of the human person and of God, the Department seeks to make accessible to all its students an immense tradition of knowledge especially through interpretation theory, historical analysis, psychological insight, and theoretical elaboration. The Department is dedicated to training professional theologians and researchers while expanding the horizons of those who wish to appreciate their heritage. Programs Students are responsible for satisfying their particular degree requirements. The superscript indicates credit value. Students must have their programs approved by the Department. Students will be admitted to the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry with the permission of the Department. Admission will be based on the number of available places and upon evaluation of the candidates letter of intent and an interview dealing with their educational background and community experience. All courses in the Department are open to any qualified student of Concordia. 60 BA Honours in Theological Studies 3 THEO 393 3 18 THEO 201 3, 202 3, 203 3, 204 3, 205 3, 206 3 3 Chosen from THEO 301 3, 302 3, 303 3, 304 3 (Old Testament) 3 Chosen from THEO 311 3, 315 3, 317 3 (New Testament) 3 Chosen from THEO 320 3, 322 3 (History) 3 Chosen from THEO 212 3, 331 3, 333 3, 337 3 (Systematics) 3 Chosen from THEO 351 3, 353 3 (Ethics) 3 Chosen from THEO 236 3, 242 3, 245 3, 291 3, 347 3 (Spirituality) 12 THEO 406 3, 408 3, 410 3, 460 3 3 Chosen from cognate courses in Classics, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Sociology, in consultation with the honours advisor. Students, in consultation with the honours advisor, may choose a course in another cognate discipline. 6 Chosen from courses in the ancient and/or modern languages of Classical Greek, Biblical Greek (THEO 495, 496), Biblical Hebrew (THEO 492, 493), Modern Hebrew, Latin, French, German, Italian, Spanish, in consultation with the honours advisor NOTE: With the permission of the Department, three credits in a cognate discipline may be substituted for a THEO elective. 42 BA Major in Theological Studies 15 THEO 201 3, 202 3, 203 3, 204 3, 205 3 3 Chosen from THEO 301 3, 302 3, 303 3, 304 3 (Old Testament) 3 Chosen from THEO 311 3, 315 3, 317 3 (New Testament) 2015 16 Concordia University Undergraduate Calendar 391
3 Chosen from THEO 206 3, 320 3, 322 3 (History) 3 Chosen from THEO 212 3, 331 3, 333 3, 337 3 (Systematics) 3 Chosen from THEO 351 3, 353 3 (Ethics) 3 Chosen from THEO 236 3, 242 3, 245 3, 291 3, 347 3 (Spirituality) 9 Chosen from any of the Theology offerings NOTE: With the permission of the Department, three credits in a cognate discipline may be substituted for a THEO elective. 24 Minor in Theological Studies 12 THEO 201 3, 202 3, 203 3, 204 3 12 Chosen from other Theology offerings 30 Certificate in Pastoral Ministry 15 THEO 203 3, 402 3, 404 3 ; AHSC 230 3, 232 3 3 Chosen from THEO 315 3, 317 3 3 Chosen from THEO 206 3, 320 3, 322 3 3 Chosen from THEO 204 3, 351 3, 353 3 3 Chosen from THEO 233 3, 331 3, 333 3, 337 3 3 Chosen from THEO 205 3, 236 3, 242 3, 245 3, 291 3, 347 3 Courses Because of the renumbering of courses in the Department, students should see 200.1 for a list of equivalent courses. THEO 201 Introduction to Theological Studies (3 credits) This course introduces students to the history, sources, and basic structure of Christian theology. A survey of certain interrelationships between theology and other disciplines is provided as well as an introduction to contemporary approaches to God and topics such as Jesus Christ, sin, and redemption. THEO 202 Introduction to Biblical Studies (3 credits) This course provides a survey of the contents of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, and a practical introduction to the skills required to understand biblical texts. Attention is paid to diverse approaches to interpretation which are used in historical, literary, or theological study of the Bible. NOTE: Students who have received credit for THEZ 202 may not take this course for credit. THEO 203 Introduction to New Testament (3 credits) This course deals with the writings of the New Testament with an emphasis on both content and form. As well, students are introduced to the socio political, economic, and cultural backdrops within which earliest Christianity arose and began to spread. THEO 204 Introduction to Christian Ethics (3 credits) This course is an introduction to the field of ethics in the context of Christian faith. Christian ethics is presented as an active quest towards understanding and guiding Christian moral living. There is a brief presentation of the historical background to Christian ethics, an exploration of the points of convergence with other religious traditions, as well as the interrelationship between morality and freedom. The course will include a reflection on the problem of evil as a diminishment of persons and societies as well as a section on moral development and moral maturity. NOTE: Students who have received credit for THEZ 204 may not take this course for credit. THEO 205 Introduction to Christian Spirituality (3 credits) The characteristics of Christian spirituality, its roots in scripture, the balance between contemplation and action, its communal dimension, its attitude to the world, are analyzed through the study of a selection of men and women whose lives exemplify various aspects of Christian spirituality over the past two thousand years. The course examines notions of transcendence and immanence, individuality and collectivity, nature and the divine. NOTE: Students who have received credit for THEO 234 may not take this course for credit. THEO 206 Introduction to Christian Origins (3 credits) This course is a study of the historical origins of the Church with a view to understanding the creative originality of the Christian tradition. It explores possibilities for the rethinking of contemporary Christianity in light of the common sources of diverse Christian traditions. THEO 212 Faith, Reason and the Religious Sense (3 credits) This course investigates the basic human search for meaning and value in the context of the variety of models of revelation. It considers how religious experience is understood in the light of the psychology of religion and faith. THEO 226 Theology and Myth (3 credits) This course is a comparative study of mythology. The focus is on the role of myths in Christian theology, e.g. creation myths, origins of humanity, salvation myths, and others. 392 2015 16 Concordia University Undergraduate Calendar
THEO 228 (also listed as IRST 228) Celtic Christianity (3 credits) This course follows a historical line to show the connections of the pre Christian Celtic beliefs with the early Christian Church of Celtic countries. It focuses on the spirituality of the Celtic people in the context of Celtic history and culture. NOTE: Students who have received credit for IRST 228, THEO 208 or 327, or for this topic under an IRST 298 or THEO 298 number, may not take this course for credit. THEO 233 Religious Pluralism in a Secular Culture (3 credits) This course focuses on the relationships between religion, pluralism, and secular culture. It deals specifically with secularization, secularism and theological responses that are rooted in historical discourses of church/state relations. NOTE: Students who have received credit for THEZ 233 may not take this course for credit. THEO 234 Pilgrim Bodies, Sacred Journeys (3 credits) This course examines the history, politics, and spirituality of transformative journey in both theory and practice. Interdisciplinary exploration of a diversity of sources, including sacred texts and secular literature, art, architecture and music, as well as contemporary pop culture, facilitates a meaningful understanding and experience of pilgrimage as a growing postmodern phenomenon with an ancient global history. This course offers the opportunity for individual and group fieldwork, investigating the material, corporeal and performative dimensions of theology. NOTE: Students who have received credit for LOYC 230 or for this topic under a THEO 298 number may not take this course for credit. THEO 236 Spirituality: Personal, Social and Religious Dimensions (3 credits) This course focuses on the phenomenon of spirituality as a personal and social response to the human quest for self integration and self transcendence. It examines the roles of both religious tradition and secular culture in shaping approaches to the spiritual journey. Consideration of the characteristics of Christian spiritual traditions is complemented by reflection upon the meaning and variety of spiritualities present in the pluralistic postmodern culture. THEO 238 Theology in Film (3 credits) This course examines a series of films to uncover their theological preoccupations, motives, and questions. Methods of analyses are discussed, in conjunction with screenings of selected films. THEO 242 Theology and the Arts (3 credits) This course explores a wide variety of ancient, modern, and contemporary artistic media painting, sculpture, architecture, glass, music, literature, and multimedia in order to uncover a theological understanding of artistic activity. It investigates the ways in which artists explore apprehensions of transcendence and the artistic imagination. THEO 245 The Creative Self (3 credits) This course helps students explore their own creative processes in order to come to a deeper appreciation of the infinite human capacity for creation, and thus, self transcendence. It considers the cognitive dimensions of the creative processes, their ethical aspects, their expression in human action, and their impact on ultimate value and meaning. NOTE: Students who have received credit for this topic under a THEO 298 number may not take this course for credit. THEO 291 The Icon: Theology in Colour (3 credits) The icon is both a theological medium and a theological message. The first is expressed by design, the latter by colour. The study of the icon offers the student an opportunity to explore theological meaning through image and symbolism as well as concept and reasoning. NOTE: Students who have received credit for THEO 276 may not take this course for credit. THEO 295 Theology and Women (3 credits) This course explores the emergence of a body of scholarly writing by women theologians. It looks at their questions and the critiques of traditional theological doctrines and interpretations, as well as suggesting different hermeneutical approaches to exegesis, theology, and history. NOTE: Students who have received credit for THEO 271 may not take this course for credit. THEO 298 THEO 299 Selected Topics in Theological Studies (6 credits) Specific topics for these courses, and prerequisites relevant in each case, will be stated in the Undergraduate Class Schedule. THEO 301 The Pentateuch (3 credits) The objective of this course is to familiarize students with the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch. The course considers literary criticism pertaining to the composition of the Pentateuch, its themes, and their theological meanings. THEO 302 Historiographies in the Hebrew Bible (3 credits) Beginning with an introduction to biblical historiographies, this course discusses the Deuteronomistic historiography (Joshua, Judges, Books of Samuel, Books of Kings) and compares it to the historiography of Ezra/Nehemiah and Chronicles. Literary and theological issues are discussed throughout the course. 2015 16 Concordia University Undergraduate Calendar 393
THEO 303 Themes in the Hebrew Bible (3 credits) This course studies in depth the roots and developments of particular biblical traditions. It focuses on the history of different interpretations of such specific biblical themes as divine election, covenants, promises, worship, and sacrifices. THEO 304 Prophetic and Wisdom Literature in the Hebrew Bible (3 credits) This course introduces the prophetic, wisdom, and deuterocanonical books of the Hebrew Bible. Topics discussed are literary genres, historical contexts, and theological themes, as well as the phenomenon of prophecy in the ancient Near East, the historical settings for the biblical prophetic and wisdom literature, the language, and the message of these biblical books. THEO 311 Johannine Literature (3 credits) This course offers an in depth study of the Gospel of John and the three letters of John. The differences between the Johannine school of thought and the Synoptic tradition (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) with respect to christology, faith, salvation, and the role of the spirit are examined. THEO 315 Gospels and Acts (3 credits) This course is an introduction to the texts and teachings of the four canonical Gospels and to the Acts of the Apostles. THEO 317 The Pauline Letters (3 credits) This course is an introduction to Paul and his letters. In studying these writings, students engage in close examination of parts of the text (exegesis) and also discover the history and context of earliest Christianity. THEO 319 Gnosticism and the New Testament (3 credits) This course introduces various Gnostic texts which are then compared and contrasted with the canonical Gospels of the New Testament. Themes such as salvific knowledge, cosmogony and creation, anthropogony, Christology, and soteriology are also considered from a comparative perspective. NOTE: Students who have received credit for this topic under a THEO 298 number may not take this course for credit. THEO 320 History of Christianity: The Medieval Period (3 credits) This course explores the history of Christianity from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century to the beginning of the Renaissance in the 15th century. The diverging experiences of the churches in East and West are studied, with attention to the development of Christian beliefs, art, philosophy, and institutions, and the major religious and political figures who influenced these developments. THEO 322 History of Christianity: Reformation and Modernity (3 credits) This course explores the history of Christianity from the reformation through to the closing decades of the 20th century, with special attention given to the Protestant Reformation and to the impact of the Enlightenment on the theology, institutions, ethics, and intellectual life of modern Christians. THEO 324 Roman Catholicism (3 credits) This course offers an introduction to the contemporary Roman Catholic experience, and includes a treatment of the historical origins of Catholicism, its worship and liturgy, its spirituality, and its role in society and culture. NOTE: Students who have received credit for THEO 211 may not take this course for credit. THEO 331 The Christian Understanding of God (3 credits) This course examines the classical presentation of Christian belief in God as a Trinity of divine persons through its biblical origins and historical development. It also examines modern theological reflection on this classical view, including perspectives from non Western cultural contexts. THEO 333 Jesus Christ in History and Faith (3 credits) This course studies the biblical and later traditions about the person, nature, and work of Christ in the Christian tradition. Texts studied include the Bible, theological texts from a variety of historical periods as well as some literary and artistic presentations of Christ. THEO 337 The Christian Sacraments (3 credits) This course examines the history, symbols, and images of ritual and liturgical communication in Christianity, especially in baptism and eucharist. These mysteries, as the Christian sacraments were originally called, are studied in the context of a Christian life. THEO 343 Religion and Politics (3 credits) Focusing on the relationship between church, state, and democracy, this course examines the intersection of religion and politics by studying the connections between moral values and political beliefs in different settings around the world. It explores how religious beliefs have shaped politics and have impacted democratization, education, and citizenship. At the same time, it reflects on the way in which politics has affected religious life and religious organizations. THEO 347 Spirituality of Aging (3 credits) This course deals with the spirituality of aging through a number of important themes: mid life crises, intergenerational conflicts, sexuality, theology of the body, relationships, death and dying. NOTE:Students who have received credit for this topic under a THEO 298 or THEZ 298 number may not take this course for credit. 394 2015 16 Concordia University Undergraduate Calendar
THEO 351 Applied Ethical Issues (3 credits) This course provides students with a method for ethical deliberation and explores ethical issues challenging contemporary society such as euthanasia, health care, the economy, and scientific and technological advances. THEO 353 Theology and Bioethics (3 credits) This course presents major frameworks for examining issues in bioethics and explores case studies to familiarize students with ethical issues in the biomedical context. Ethical issues in health care and research involving human subjects in light of a theological perspective on life, death and moral existence are explored. THEO 393 Philosophical Foundations of Christian Theology (3 credits) Prerequisite: 24 credits. This survey course investigates the philosophical outlook and language of theological doctrines and Christian thinkers in various historical periods. Questions of truth, meaning, and goodness are examined in light of Christian interpretations of Plato and Aristotle. Contemporary topics at the intersection of philosophy and theology, such as human sexuality, political philosophy, and scientific theories, are also treated. NOTE: Students who have received credit for THEO 293 may not take this course for credit. THEO 398 THEO 399 Selected Topics in Theological Studies (6 credits) Specific topics for these courses, and prerequisites relevant in each case, will be stated in the Undergraduate Class Schedule. NOTE: All 400 level Theology courses have as their prerequisite an appropriate 300 level Theology course, or its equivalent, with permission of the Department. THEO 402 Pastoral Ministry (3 credits) This course introduces students to the history and theology of pastoral ministry. Particular attention is given to theological sources and spiritual resources available to the minister in a variety of pastoral settings. THEO 404 Practicum in Pastoral Ministry (3 credits) Prerequisite: THEO 402 and permission of the Department. This course complements THEO 402 as the internship and field exploration of a particular pastoral ministry. It will be supervised by experts or experienced individuals in the various fields of ministry, e.g. eldercare, bereavement, hospital, school, youth ministries, and others. THEO 406 Scriptural Exegesis (3 credits) Prerequisite: THEO 202 or 203; THEO 301. This course initiates students in the historical critical methodology used in the study of the Bible and familiarizes them with biblical research tools. THEO 408 Classical Theological Texts: Reading and Interpretation (3 credits) Prerequisite: THEO 201; THEO 331 or 333 or 337, or permission of the Department. This course provides students with the interpretive skills that permit critical responses to texts. Classical texts are analyzed in terms of the elements of context, structure, form, and content. The course covers classical theological writings from the fourth to the 20th century. THEO 410 Honours Tutorial (3 credits) Prerequisite: Permission of the Department; enrolment in the honours program. This course provides students with background studies in central theological issues and writers. Students prepare an annotated bibliography as part of the requirements of the course. THEO 460 Honours Essay (3 credits) Prerequisite: THEO 410 previously or concurrently; permission of the Department; enrolment in the honours program. Each student works with an individual faculty member in a particular area of theological studies to produce a research paper of about 40 pages in length. THEO 492 Biblical Hebrew I (3 credits) No prior knowledge of the Hebrew language is necessary. With a view to reading and comprehending simple biblical narratives in Hebrew, students learn the rudiments of Biblical Hebrew from the alphabet, vocabulary, and the basic grammar. THEO 493 Biblical Hebrew II (3 credits) Prerequisite: THEO 492. This course continues the objectives of Biblical Hebrew I. With a view to reading and comprehending simple biblical narratives in Hebrew, students learn problematic verb forms, grammatical constructions, and text linguistics. By the end of this course students are able to read, analyze, and translate biblical narratives. 2015 16 Concordia University Undergraduate Calendar 395
THEO 495 Biblical Greek I (3 credits) This is an introductory course to Greek Koine. No prior knowledge of the Greek language is necessary. It provides the student with a basic understanding of New Testament Greek. THEO 496 Biblical Greek II (3 credits) Prerequisite: THEO 495. This course builds on the material presented in Biblical Greek I. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze and translate biblical texts. THEO 497 THEO 498 THEO 499 Advanced Topics in Theological Studies (6 credits) Specific topics for these courses, and prerequisites relevant in each case, will be stated in the Undergraduate Class Schedule. 396 2015 16 Concordia University Undergraduate Calendar